Local Legendz

We've found the most amazing people are often more busy working in their communities than making themselves known around the world. Local Legendz is a new collaboration between Leatherman and Korduroy featuring individuals who are quietly changing the world from their backyards with their craftsmanship and creativity.

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Going against the grain doesn't always pan out for everyone. But for Neal Purchase Jr., he has found a way to maintain a free lifestyle while still having his hands in a number of creative ventures.

In this episode of Local Legendz in collaboration with KorduroyTV, Neal reflects back watching his father shape growing up and to the 1977 Stubbies where his inspiration from Michael Peterson fueled his desire to create boards that expand a surfer's approach, allowing that rider to ride different parts of the wave.

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After chemo treatment #8 of 24. Steve Rubin went through 2 years of grueling treatments for stage 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He used the ocean as a place to find strength and focus to carry on through treatment, and is in complete remission today after a successful stem cell transplant in March of 2013. 

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One of the old expat surf junkies we have had the pleasure of meeting while on the road. Mike used to be a trucker in the states till one day he said "fuck it" and went south to chase his dreams. He roles around with his pack of pit bulls, and has a pretty mean back side cut back. Fully versed in the original style of California surf culture.

Submission by Dave habitualrituals

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We got the pleasure to make friends with Jesus Mayoral and his family, we shared some great stories and reflection on life. Jesus is entering his 26th season guiding whale watching trips in San Ignacio Lagoon Baja. He brings a respect and understanding of the gray whale's natural history that can only be gained growing up alongside the whales. During the summer months they travel Mexico in there RV looking for waves.

Submission by Dave aka habitualrituals

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This is Cruz Ortiz, he's one of the most genuine human beings I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I've spent a lot of time in the water with him, he's a huge inspiration. He loves #RobertAugust surf boards and the style of the old masters.

Submission by Dave aka habitualrituals

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Drove up north to visit this magnificent dude again (Steve Fugate). He's walked over 150 miles since last week which puts him at around 37k miles on foot. More than any human alive. Look him up at "Love Life Steve Fugate."

Submission by Cyrus Sutton

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We met “Tiburon” at a local surf spot a while ago and he invited us back to his casa where he showed us his ingenious and unforgettable method of clearing the crowds on busy days! This #wildman suits up with his homemade fiberglass #shark head which has a snorkel inside and swims out to the lineup to make a little room! He also helped build and was a crew member of the Expedition Mata Rangi II, that sailed from Arica, #Chile to the Marquesas- a 5,000 mile open water journey on the totora reed boat in 1999. One of the many characters we have met here on the open road. #SurfChile

Submission by ouropenroad

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Tim Stamps quietly makes some of the most finely tuned surfboards in the world shaping for many WCT pros and learning his craft from guys like Simon Anderson and Darren Handley. 

Submission by Cyrus Sutton

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Mike Gerhardt: Often found charging Mavericks with his wife. I'm thankful he guides me in my northern surf adventures.

Submission by Corey Colapinto aka @kookapinto

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John Peck is the original #vanlifer. I met John when I was 17. He schooled me on smooth surfing, and simple/healthy living. He was one of the first to surf Pipeline and had a colorful history of drugs and fights that he taught me to steer clear of. Most importantly he showed me the value of believing in yourself regardless of society’s judgements. When he’s not spending his winters on Kauai charging solid waves and doing bodywork, he’s shaping his Penetrator surfboards in Orange County and hanging in the desert with his 4X4 Econoline van.

Photo: Michael Lallande

Submission by Cyrus Sutton

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Jed Done has been shaping revolutionary surfboards from his NSW South Coast hideaway for nearly 20 years. Shaping boards for Tom Carrol, Tom Curren and exclusively for Derek Hynd (Hynd Fish) he has created a groundswell following for his beautiful hand crafted boards. His on-going development of the flex-tail and passion for quality make him stand out amongst todays board makers. Bushrat Surfboards

http://submerge.com.au/?p=687

http://www.bushrat.com/index.html

Submission by Stuart Dawson

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Krissy Montgomery - Owner at Surf Sister Surf School and Co-Founder of Queen of the Peak Womens Surf Competition

Krissy is the most genuine, generous and ridiculously hilarious person I know. She has been my boss for the last two years and I can't think of a better person to look up to. Her passionate influence on the Canadian surf scene for women is incomparable and has created a workspace for all of us to be completely ourselves. Dirtbags and all.

When our staff parties involve huge group surfs and work feels like you are hanging out and having fun with your family while getting the job done, you know something has gone really right. Krissy is so valuable for the town of Tofino and I am so lucky to know her.

Links:

1. http://www.tourismtofino.com/tofino-today/2012/10/08/tofitians-you-should-know-meet-krissy-montgomery

2. http://queenofthepeak.com/

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvosJJPfFPU (pretty funny!)

Submission by Lindsay Henwood

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Joel Pilgrim lives in Bondi Australia and is a 12 year old trapped in a mans body.  His energy and good will is infectious and can make even the toughest of locals break into a smile.  As one of the crew behind 'One Wave' (and Fluro Fridays) a group that uses surfing to promote awareness and help with mental health and depression his stoke level runs very high. 

Happy to be in the water any way possible he continually shares his enthusiasm. doubling up on waves, pushing in learners, riding tandem with kids and hooting, smiling and laughing with everyone. He rides waves any way, and rides them well. If the cliché of 'the best surfer is the one having the most fun' is true, then Joel is a world champ. 

Joel is a true amplifier for stoke and a physical embodiment of the 'one wave' charity.

one wave - http://onewaveisallittakes.com/

Aquabumps photos - http://www.aquabumps.com/tag/joel-pilgrim/

SOBO interview - http://soboimage.com/team-rider-joel-pilgrim/

Instagram - http://web.stagram.com/n/joelpilgrim/

Submission by Kieron

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I just met Steve Fugate on the side of the road, he’s walking all of the contiguous 48 states and has over 30,000 miles under his belt. He lost his son to suicide and his daughter to a drug overdose and because of this he’s walking to inspire people to “choose to stay on this earth.” When asked how he’s walked so long he replied “because I’m smart enough to believe I could, and dumb enough to keep going after I realized it was a bad idea to begin with!”

Submission by Cyrus Sutton (regressingforward)

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John is driving down the west coast and eventually making his way back to the Northeast where he’s looking to set up a natural-dye printmaking retreat.

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” -Mark Twain

Submission by Cyrus Sutton

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Finnish cinematographer Kim Koponen dials in the Red Epic with his OHT multi-tool

Submission by Arto Saari

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Nice ride old man.

Photo by @leeleatherman